Yoga Medical News Daily

Effects of weight bearing yoga training in the bone resorption markers of postmenopausal women

This study in the Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand, (2009 Sept;92 Suppl5:S102-8) by Phoosuwan M, Kritpet T, and Yuktanandana P. from the School of Sports Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand, reports on the results of an investigation involving an experimental group (19 subjects, the mean age 54.320 yrs) attending 12-week weight-bearing yoga training 3 days a week, 50 minutes a day, while the control group lived their normal lives. "After the 12-week training, the mean bone resorption marker (beta-CrossLaps) of the experimental group reduced from 0.464 to 0.339 ng/ml (-26.939%) whereas the control group reduced from 0.389 to 0.386 ng/ml (-0.771%) . . . . The weigh-bearing yoga training had a positive effect on bone by slowing down bone resorption which was a very essential indicator for human health because it reduced the osteoporosis risks in the postmenopausal women. Additionally, yoga training promoted better quality of life." Abstract: PubMed.

Effect of Yoga on Markers of Bone Turnover in Osteopenic Women

This pilot study by Judith Balk, Melissa Gluck, Lisa Bernardo, and Janet Catov, all of the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is described in the International Journal of Yoga Therapy (2009: 19;1: 63-68), "Seven participants completed a 12-week series of one hour per week Yoga classes, in addition to home Yoga practice. We analyzed the correlation between time spent on Yoga and time spent on other weight-bearing exercise and change in bone turnover markers. The amount of Yoga practice was significantly correlated with BAP levels (r = 0.68, p = 0.09). A weaker, non-significant correlation was found between the amount of Yoga practice and uNTX levels (r = -.54, p = .21). Compared to Yoga, other physical activities were less correlated with BAP and uNTX levels. Yoga may have beneficial effects on bone turnover in osteopenic postmenopausal women." Abstract.